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Chia, goji berries, kombucha, kale… it’s a fact: superfoods are at their peak. In fact, for some time now, the so-called superfoods have become for many a mine of health, although for others they are nothing more than a new gastronomic trend and a mere marketing product. Be that as it may, there is one of them that Kim Kardashian has managed to fall in love with: it is sea moss or Irish moss, a red algae that abounds especially in the European and North American Atlantic coast and that, apparently, moisturizes the skin, strengthens the defenses, prevents infections, colds or flu and helps to lose weight and fight wrinkles.
Specifically, the American model adds it to her smoothies (it’s been two years since she said in a tweet that “sea moss smoothies are very good”), but her followers claim that it can be taken in many ways and that it is good for almost everything. And hence the searches on social networks of this sea vegetable of the algae family do not stop growing. However, as food fads follow one another at breakneck speed, the question that arises is the following: are we talking about another healthy trend or does it have a basis?
Sea moss, is it a healthy fad or does it have a basis?
Its scientific name is Chondrus Crispis, sometimes it can even form complete lawns on rocky surfaces and can be eaten raw and in supplements, although it is usually sold in gel form, which is made by soaking the dried plant in water, mixing it and letting it stand in the refrigerator. And if it is proven to contain certain nutrients, such as folate, vitamin K, vitamin B, iron, iodine, magnesium, zinc and calcium. That’s why people consume it with the aim of improving their health, eating it straight from the jar or mixing it in smoothies.
“The Irish traditionally used it to thicken soups, creams, broths or sauces. And as a natural remedy for pneumonia, tuberculosis (none of this has been studied), malnutrition, avoiding flus, colds and infections. Basically pseudo science. Based on its components we can assume (I repeat nothing is scientifically proven except some studies on mussels and worms) that it helps with the gastrointestinal tract, improves anemia, provides satiety (weight loss) and could be a good food supplement,” explained Dr. Leo Cerrud, an expert in Aesthetic Medicine and Nutrition, to Elle magazine in 2020.
What is known and what is assumed
But while experts say the sea vegetable’s nutrients may indeed provide certain health benefits, the fad is also likely an exaggeration, as Melinda Ring, executive director of the Osher Center for Integrative Health at Northwestern University’s Feinberg School of Medicine, recently told The New York Times.
“Sea moss, in gel or other forms, can be a relatively low-calorie way to add more nutrients to the diet. The plant is rich in antioxidants, capable of breaking down free radicals that damage our cells. And sea moss gel contains large amounts of potassium, an essential mineral that supports muscle contraction and blood pressure control. Like all the superfoods that have come and gone, there’s some truth to it, but it’s not something magical that everyone should take,” says Ring.
So is it beneficial or not? As mentioned above, sea moss is known to be rich in mucilage (a soluble fiber), omega-3s, calcium, iron and potassium, as well as chlorophyll and protein. But in the absence of conclusive data, its health effects are not entirely clear. And although with the valuable help of Kim Kardashian it is already a trend, it remains to be seen whether it is here to stay.
